About Us

Research Associate Professor

Co-Investigator on the Health and Retirement Study, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan

Dr. Faul’s work focuses on socioeconomic predictors of health and health disparities across the life course. Her research integrates genetic and social science data and uses longitudinal modeling and time-varying predictors in examining determinants of health.

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Research Associate Professor

Director of the Population, Neurodevelopment, and Genetics Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan

Dr. Mitchell’s research utilizes a range of biological datatypes such as epigenetics, neuroimaging, and genetics to better understand how social conditions shape population health. In particular his work uses these biomarkers to elucidate pathways by which social inequalities cause health inequalities. This research uses longitudinal population-based studies where biological data are collected at multiple timepoints. His research also includes the development of new methods for integrating the collection and analysis of biological and social data.

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Research Assistant Professor, Population, Neurodevelopment, and Genetics Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan

Dr. Ware’s work is focused on high throughput statistical analysis of genomic data and its relationship to outcomes that show marked disparities across ages, ethnic groups and sexes, including Alzheimer’s disease and mental health. She also has experience in exploring the relationships among genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic data and their interactions with behavioral and socioeconomic risk factors as determinants of chronic disease phenotypes that disproportionately affect minorities using cutting-edge computational methods. Dr. Ware designed and teaches the lab component of the Genomics for Social Scientists workshop.

Associate Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan

Research Associate Professor, Population, Neurodevelopment, and Genetics Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan

Dr. Smith studies the ways that genetic factors influence age-related chronic diseases, subclinical phenotypes, and their risk factors. Her work encompasses a broad range of phenotypes, including cardiovascular traits, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, subclinical phenotypes for dementia and cognition, obesity and body mass index, diabetes and glucose metabolism, metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and health behaviors. She is particularly interested in the interaction between genetic and non-genetic determinants of health in shaping disease risk. Her research also includes biological markers that may lend insight into disease etiology and molecular mechanisms, including epigenetics, gene expression, and telomere length.